Antique cars take tour through Kincardine
By Liz Dadson

Heritage

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Michael (L), Maxwell, Randall and Jean Longfield, and Meaghan Jansen of Burlington wave from their 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost

 Antique cars on display at Reunion Park, Kincardine

Until you've actually taken a "fly" in a 100-year-old car, you can't appreciate the timeless beauty of these horseless carriages.

But there are hundreds who do enjoy them, as evidenced by the 55 antique cars that rolled into Kincardine Sunday afternoon (June 14), including members of the Horseless Carriage Club of America and the Model T Ford Club. And the crowd that came down to Reunion Park to see these beautifully-restored vehicles.

Tom and Janet Huehn of Uxbridge own a 1909 Ford Model T which they float on a trailer to area meeting places and drive around for weekend jaunts.

"The car rolls along at about 35 to 40 miles-per-hour," says Tom, "but it's a great ride because you can see everything and feel everything."

And the engine is so quiet, you can hear everything as well.

Tom purchased a pile of parts and three years (and a lot of hard work) later, he had the Model T Ford together. He is now working to restore two other pre-1915 vehicles.
The Huehns put about 3,000 miles per year on the Model T, taking in the spring tour through Goderich, Bayfield and Kincardine; the July meet in Cobourg; and the fall meet in Parry Sound. About 150 people in Ontario and 6,000 in the United States belong to the Horseless Carriage Club of America, says Tom.

Ron and Kathy Cairns of Eden, south of Tillsonburg, arrived at Reunion Park in a 1927 Ford Model T Roadster that they inherited four years ago from Kathy's father.
"We love this car," says Kathy. "I've been riding in antique cars for 40 years. They're wonderful."

The Roadster cruises at about 40 miles-per-hour, says Ron. "It's so relaxing and you can look around and see the scenery. But our arms get a little tired from waving at all the people waving at us as we go by."

They have another vehicle they are restoring, a 1927 Touring Car, and their goal is to own a brass car - one built before 1915.

"The best part," says Ron, "is the camaraderie among the owners of these cars. If someone's vehicle breaks down, the whole group stops to help out."

One antique car that stood out from the crowd was a 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost owned by Randall and Jean Longfield and their son, Michael, of Burlington. Called "Old Yeller," the car was first owned by a gentleman in England, then someone in Pennsylvania, in Florida, back to England and then Brussels. The Longfields purchased the car six months ago from the owner in Brussels.

"It's a delightful car to ride in," says Jean. "It's so quiet, you can hear and see everything. People are always coming up to get a look at it and ask us about it."

The Rolls cruises at about 50 miles-per-hour and is the pride and joy of all three generations of Longfields, including Randall's father, Maxwell.

For more information about the two antique car clubs that were in Kincardine, check the websites at

www.hccaontario.ca

and www.modelt.org

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19/06/2009 09:14 PM

For directions to Bud Rier click

 Ron and Kathy Cairns stand with their 1927 Ford Model T Roadster

 A line-up of beautifully-restored antique cars sits at Reunion Park Sunday afternoon

 An antique Studebaker

 A funny plate on the back of one of the antique cars

Tom Huehn of Uxbridge cranks up his 1909 Ford Model T to go for a ride

 Tom and Janet Huehn of Uxbridge arrive in their 1909 Ford Model T